2024 is off to a great start. In this episode, I talk about my pod hiatus so I can spend time writing the book I'm dreaming up, plus three books I've read this year.

While I'm on a pod break, you can find me on Substack writing on the same wellness topics: https://youaredoinggreat.substack.com/

I pulled together 7 of my go-to self-care items for 2023. I think they can be helpful as you head into the holiday season or start to think about how you want to take care of yourself in 2024. Full links below too.

Kitsch Satin pillowcase: https://www.mykitsch.com/products/satin-pillowcase-ivory 

JL Lawson Breathe Stone: https://www.jllawsonco.com/products/breathe-stone?variant=40386062254146 

Indigo Wellness Ear Seeds: https://www.indigowellnessgroup.com/online-store/p/indigo-24k-gold-ear-seeds

Indigo Wellness Hack Your Nervous System Cards: https://www.indigowellnessgroup.com/online-store/p/hack-your-nervous-system-card-deck 

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson: https://amzn.to/3RtQRQ6 

Bonita Fierce Candles: https://bonitafiercecandles.com/collections/signature-scents/products/cafecito-con-leche-candle 

Pretty Kind Affirmations Sweatshirt: https://prettykind.co/collections/all 

I consider myself the queen of solo dates. I like spending time with myself and have done it so often that sitting at a restaurant alone doesn't feel as awkward anymore.

I know the holidays can be especially hard when you don't get a quiet moment to yourself, so in this episode, I'm sharing tips for guaranteeing even a minute to yourself and planning a solo date no matter how much time you have. It's the ultimate form of self-care.

This is part 1 of a three-part series about the holiday season and protecting your mental health. 

During this episode, I share the two questions I use to guide my decisions during this season. I also share how to account for others' expectations of you. 

Part 2 will focus on solo date ideas! 

This is the episode I mentioned during the pod: A Therapist Answers: How Do I Set Goals For My Future Self? 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7I2asC4Fpj9Vk76eeb3rH8?si=1de9bf3d3f744730 

Myeisha Essex is a purpose coach and an advocate for meditation. Throughout our conversation, we talk about how life changing grief is, how she is approaching her first holidays without her mom, and what books have helped her learn more about her grief journey. I share more on how it’s like navigating my 21st holiday season without my mom and we compare notes on how much is actually more similar than different. 

You can find Myeisha @myeisha.essex 

This week is a solo episode, and we're talking about Thanksgiving. I know that the holidays can kick off an emotional rollercoaster, so this year, the pods are dedicated to helping you keep your balance and preserve your peace.

I share 3 books to read if you need a distraction, what to do when grief pops up, and how to prioritize yourself no matter how you spend Thanksgiving.

Meghan Riordan Jarvis is a grief therapist and the author of End of the Hour. Her memoir tells her own story of processing grief and trauma after her parents’ deaths. We talk about tips she gives to her patients, how to navigate the holidays if you’re grieving, and how grief is a lot like sex.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

1 — Meet Meghan author of End Of The Hour 

3:55 — What happens when you write through your grief or trauma 

5 — The myth behind managing grief perfectly

8 — Why you should choose your action verb for your grief

12 — How to find your grieving practice 

20 — What to expect from End of The Hour 

25  — What grief and sex have in common 

27 — How to use Meghan’s M.E.N.T.O.R. method when grieving 

31 — The power of books when you’re grieving 

38 — Tips for navigating the holiday season if you’re grieving 

43 — An exercise for “counting” how many grief thoughts you have

Emory Hall is a poet and the author of 'Made of Rivers.' Her poetry book is full of reflections on womanhood, grief, mental health, and motherhood. We talk about how she uses writing as a coping tool, plus how it's made it easier for her to offer herself self-compassion.

You can find Emory @emoryhall.

We're talking periods, why doctors expect women to manage so much pain, and hormone health on this week's podcast episode.

I ask OB/GYN, Dr. Robbins, all of our women's health-related questions and even share a bit about my own colposcopy this past summer.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

:45 — Meet Dr. Robbins, OBGYN

4 — Why is there such a gap in women’s health? 

6:31 — My colposcopy experience 

13 — A doctor’s advice on how to advocate for yourself with your provider 

15 — How much period pain is normal? 

20 — What is hormone health and how do you know if your hormones are off? 

32 — How acupuncture and other wellness habits can help your health 

36 — How stress can impact your period and mental health 

38 — What are the different menstrual phases and what should you know if you want to cycle sync? 

I’m interviewing Jordan Scott, the founder and CEO of Cobble, an app that helps you plan and agree on date nights and group outings. We talk about how to get those plans out of the group chat and how she’s navigated entrepreneurship in her twenties and now as a mom, too. During our conversation, you’ll learn about the one time we had to arrange sex toys and the life lessons our twenties taught us that we’re bringing into our 30s. 

Find Jordan and Cobble at trycobble.com